In the early hours of Tuesday, the Teshie Mantse Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra II sprinkled the traditional food – Kpokpoi to kick start this year’s Teshie Homowo festival in a grand style.
The sprinkling of the kpokpoi was done in various houses amid chanting of Kpaashimo with the Asafo groups and other chiefs.
The festival brought together many people in and outside the Traditional area who walked through the streets to witness the festival.
In attendance was Torgbi Nii Kpami Gbedesu III of Aflao Traditional Area and his entourage who came all the way from Aflao to partake the festival.
Homowo which literally means “hooting at hunger” is celebrated by the GaDangbes to signify a time in history when their ancestors faced a great famine and ultimately came out of it.
Speaking to journalists after the sprinkling of the traditional food, the Teshie Mantse, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra II called for unity, peace and co-existance among the people.
He further called on all ‘Teshiemei’ to see this year’s Homowo festival as a tool that will foster unity, peace, love and development.
He urged his people to ensure togetherness and work towards the progress of the youth by empowering them in their various fields of endeavors.
He applauded the people for ensuring a very peaceful celebration as compared to the previous years and called on the youth to continue with their efforts in maintaining peace and harmony in Teshie.
Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra II appealed to the people not to go into the new year in disunity, name calling, backbiting among others but should rather love one another and share ideas that will develop their talents to become better people in the near future.
He added that Homowo is a day of joy and happiness and a day to remember their ancestors hence the need to celebrate in peace and unity and urged the Chiefs and elders to forgive one another and move forward as one people.
He appealed to the government to extend development to the people of Teshie adding that past and present Members of Parliament have done their best in bringing development to the area and called on the government to answer their calls when the need arises for the betterment of Teshie.
The Divisional Chief of Teshie Leshie who is also the Teshie Dzasetse, Nii Ashikwei Kwao Botchway revealed that there will be a comprehensive health screening for the people of Teshie.
He said the health screening will include dental care, High Blood pressure, eye testing among others.
According to him, there will be an orientation for all the traditional councils in GaDangbme with every council having two representatives as part of efforts to equip traditional rulers on land documentation, contract agreement and others.
The orientation he said is in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre adding that in most cases traditional rulers especially the new ones don’t have much knowledge on how the chieftaincy institution works which eventually lands them in trouble.
The orientation he said will treat topics such as Constitution, basic law, common law, cultural governance and how to pour libation.
He said the training will prevent the traditional rulers from signing wrong documents.
He said the traditional council will soon undertake a number of activities namely Akro Awards, scholarships for about 20 people who have gained admission into tertiary institutions among others.
Torgbi Nii Kpami Gbedesu III of Aflao Traditional Area stated that Ewes and Gas are one people per the history of how their ancestors migrated hence his participation in this year’s Homowo festival.
According to him, performance of traditional rites and culture are not fetish but rather a way to remember their ancestors. He therefore called on all GaDangbme people to embrace their culture and heritage which identifies where they come from.
He urged the people of Teshie to celebrate this year’s Homowo in peace.
Source: Muhammed Faisal Mustapha
